Relationships, your job, traffic, finances; all contribute to one thing in life—stress.

Angie King, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Greenbrier Behavioral Healthcare said that everyone has stress and it is simply a part of life. The two main stressors in life are relationships and money. Even the relatives we love dearly can be a source of stress, she said.

King was addressing the Covington Rotary International and said there are many ways to handle stress, some healthy and some unhealthy. The key to handling stress is to live a balanced lifestyle, find a balance of what we can control around us. Another key to handling stress is to take charge. Many people do not pay attention to themselves and the result can be physical symptoms of stress such as ulcers, headaches and high blood pressure. King said that some people cope with stress by withdrawing from activities. “Your body can tell you more than you realize,” she said.

There are four main ways to handle stress, said King.

First, avoid unnecessary stressors. By simply eliminating or limiting the amount of contact with the stressor, for example, a person, this can help eliminate stress.

One should also take control, delegate responsibility and cut back on activities. Don’t be afraid to say no; know your limits, King said.

The second way to deal with stress is when you are in a stressful situation, try to change it. Compromise, try to come up with a different way of doing something. Be more assertive, do things for yourself and manage your time better. Practice time management.

The third way to cope with stress is to adapt to the situation.

If you can’t change the stressor or avoid it, change yourself. Simply accept what you can’t change or control.

Examine the whole situation.

Take a step back and think about it. Is the situation really as bad as you first thought? Is it really worth the time and energy spent on worrying about it?

Finally, accept the things you cannot change, said King.

Certain situations simply are part of life, such as a death in the family, a job loss or illness. Sometimes one cannot control the uncontrollable.

Sometimes the adverse experience will make one stronger. Learn to forgive and take care of yourself. You may not be able to forget, but let your feelings out and communicate your loss.

Get a hobby. King said that many times, a person can benefit from becoming involved in something they enjoy.

King is a practicing social worker and director of intake at Greenbrier, one of the few inpatient emotional and mental programs on the Northshore. They also provide outpatient care including family and group therapy.